Our God is undeniably deserving of praises, and there are myriad reasons to honor Him. In spite of these countless grounds for reverence, it is not unusual for us to discern faults in Him and to neglect to offer the praise that He rightfully merits. It is essential that we abandon our practice to question His fidelity and instead commence honoring Him for all that He has done for us. Upon contemplation of His works on our behalf, we should discover an unwavering inspiration to extol Him; however, when we nurture expectations that He is obliged to fulfill our wishes, it cultivates a situation conducive to doubt regarding His actions.
Fear the LORD
Praise the LORD.
Blessed are those who fear the LORD,
who find great delight in his commands.
Their children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in their houses,
and their righteousness endures forever.
Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.
Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely,
who conduct their affairs with justice. – Psalms 112:1-5 (NIV)
The current trend among the elders often involves instilling fear in the youth through the invocation of God’s name, cautioning them that failure to adhere to stringent religious discipline may lead them away from a closer relationship with God. Although religious norms can be rigorous and burdensome, spiritual discipline tends to be more accessible and harmonious. Jesus, recognizing the burdens imposed on His followers by the demands of religious adherence, invited us to approach Him with the intent to learn in a joyful and expeditious manner (Matthew 11:30). In this context, the Psalmist describes a favorable relationship with God, suggesting that those who approach Him with reverent love can derive joy from His commandments. The author of the book of Hebrews supports this perspective by presenting God’s corrective actions as that of a Father guiding His children (Hebrews 12:7-11). Thus, we must reflect on whether we perceive following God as an arduous journey or embrace His guidance with overwhelming joy.
Then the Psalmist enumerated the blessings that await those who approach Him with love. Many believers maintain a misguided perspective, believing that if they fear God, their pursuit of Him is solely for the purpose of receiving the blessings detailed in this Psalm. Jesus clarified this matter by instructing us to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness first, with the assurance of additional blessings (Matthew 6:33). Despite Jesus’ teachings, individuals often seek Him primarily for these supplementary blessings. However, what Jesus conveys is the invitation to become His rightful heirs, whereby all that belongs to Him inherently belongs to us.
The Righteous Will Never Be Shaken
Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear;
in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. – Psalms 112:6-8 (NIV)
Though this Psalm reassures us that the righteous shall remain unshaken, individuals of religious conviction often face challenges that disrupt their stability. Their foundation is rooted in religion; however, those who construct their spiritual life upon the foundation of Jesus will exhibit steadfastness and resilience. This instructive lesson was conveyed by Jesus Himself through the parable of the wise and foolish builders.
The psalmist eloquently articulates the condition of the righteous when confronted with distressing news. Such news is perceived as troubling when one is entrenched in worldly concerns; however, those who remain aligned with God gain insight into His everlasting plan, which in turn bestows peace. The passing of an individual is often regarded as one of the most devastating announcements one can receive. Yet, it is essential to recognize that death is an inevitable reality for all on this earth, serving as the ultimate passage for His followers to attain His Eternal Kingdom. It is a common misconception to believe that even Jesus experienced turmoil upon learning of John the Baptist’s demise. Through a closer walk with Jesus, one may discern that His sorrow pertains not to the loss itself but to the condition of those who contributed to it, their hardened hearts unwilling to seek reconciliation.
Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus, fully aware that He intended to raise him from the dead. This raises a firm question: was His sorrow merely an act? Jesus understood the despair that His disciples would experience following His crucifixion. Martha expressed her hope for a general resurrection on the Day of Judgment, yet she failed to grasp the significance of what Jesus was about to accomplish. Similarly, despite Jesus’s repeated warnings and teachings regarding His impending death and resurrection, the disciples struggled to understand His message. The grievous circumstances surrounding Lazarus’s family and the anticipated reactions of His disciples led Him to shed tears.
If we place our trust in God, we shall triumph over the deceptions propagated by the devil, who perpetually invokes fear in our minds and misleads us into fearing death. Paul perceives death as the ultimate foe and encourages us by affirming that Jesus has triumphed over death eternally (I Corinthians 15:26,54-55).
Accumulation of Wealth
They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor,
their righteousness endures forever;
their horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked will see and be vexed,
they will gnash their teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.- Psalms 112:9-10 (NIV)
It is a joy to contemplate the verses of Psalms that state the act of distributing one’s wealth among the impoverished results in the wicked gnashing their teeth. Conversely, when God’s people amass riches, it brings joy to the wicked. The accumulation of wealth incites jealousy within the hearts of fellow believers; hence, it raises the question of how the wicked might find joy in it. Such accumulation leads one to align with the wicked, whose demise is certain. For this reason, Jesus warned that the treasures we acquire in this world may be corrupted by moths or taken by thieves (Matthew 6:19-21). Our reliance on wealth and material possessions denotes a lack of faith in God, His grace, and His provisions. A wealthy young man placed his trust in his riches rather than in God. In contrast, Zacchaeus, who unlawfully amassed wealth to secure his and his children’s future, generously distributed it to the poor without hesitation (Luke 19:8). Those wicked individuals who criticized Jesus for visiting a sinner’s home ultimately found themselves gnashing their teeth in agony.
Today, as the Prosperity Gospel continues to flourish, many servants of God amass wealth in an effort to attract believers, promising that if they follow their lead, God will bestow similar blessings upon them. This growing trend among the servants of God appears unceasing, with an increasing number of individuals embracing this technique and resulting in the deception of the faithful. It is crucial to understand how this approach makes the wicked content while leading countless individuals toward their own spiritual destruction. God awaits their repentance, urging them to share their wealth among the impoverished in order to address the mockery of those who seek to ridicule Him.
Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt. – Proverbs 27:11 (NIV)
Does pleasing our Father truly bring us joy, or does it just seem like an impossible task?
Heavenly Father, grant us the wisdom to earnestly pursue Your Kingdom and Your Righteousness, ensuring that we do not compromise them for any worldly advantages.
The Jordan Valley 
Reply